what do you expect to achieve when you
1) pay them scientists peanuts, and
2) promote people based on their caste and reservation instead of merit,
3) have recommendation candidates flood the top and mid management,
4) constantly derail and berate any achievements that these scientist do by holding them up to irrational standards
5) have illiterate politicians at the helm of affairs who only think of making money through bribes
6) give no incentive to private players and instead ask for bribes to win contracts

Click to expand...

All true, but at the same time it's completely unresonable how much unaccountability they get in India! No matter how long the delays, how big the failure, how bad the project management, we give our scientist a free pass and always point fingers to others or make up excuses. Politicians, the forces, budgets, sanctions...we heard it all, but where is the acknowledgement of "we messed it up" in any case?

Why is there no comment about IJT anymore? It's a major development failure for the country, but there is no one that was held accountable and all we hear from HAL is distraction towards HTT40.

If we (rightfully) ask for more incentives for scientists and indigenous R&D, we also have to ask for more accountability as well!

The maiden flight of 2nd Prototype (PT-2) of Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) has been successfully completed on 19th May 2017 without any glitch. The aircraft flew for one hour carrying out important manoeuvres, touching altitude of 20000 ft and maximum speed of 185 kmph.
Presently, the project is in advanced stage of development. Two prototypes have been developed and produced till date and both prototypes are under flight trials. Additionally, one more prototype will be manufactured to further speed up the development process. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aims to get the aircraft certified by December 2018 which will be followed by series production.
In February 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL. Considering this, HAL has planned to set up facility for manufacturing of 15-20 aircraft per annum. HTT-40 is funded by HAL with its own resources.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri K Rahman Khan in Rajya Sabha today.
NAo/Nampi/Rajib

Critical trials for desi trainer soon, HAL looks to start production in December

A basic trainer aircraft being developed indigenously is heading for critical trials in October, with plans for the production line to start before the end of this year. The desi HTT 40 trainer – which is critical for the air force’s pilot training program – is likely to undergo stall and spin tests shortly that will test its ability to recover from a potentially devastating situation.

The tests are critical to prove the stability and utility of the HTT 40 to train young pilots in handling aircraft before they move on to the more advanced aircraft. Officials overseeing the project told ThePrint that after the stall and spin tests, a crucial meeting will be held with the air force to obtain clearances and start a production line for the aircraft before the end of this year.

The HTT 40 has already undergone wind tunnel testing in France and is undergoing minor modifications to prepare it for the tests. Stall and spin tests are potentially lethal for test pilots and need to be programmed and planned minutely...

In theory, you can sell them to countries that can't afford fighters or that have an IS like problem, but then there are already alternatives available and above the prop trainer aircrafts also armed advanced trainers like BAE Hawk, KAI T50, or Yak 130. So if we aim on exports, shouldn't we aim on exporting the trainer first?